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Grandkids Of Fallen Officer They Never Met Honor Sgt. Hutchens In Special Way

Among the subjects were the grandkids of Winston-Salem Police Sergeant Mickey Hutchens, who died in the line of duty in 2009.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – They’ve never met him but that doesn’t mean they don’t love him.

The grandchildren of fallen police officer Sergeant Mickey Hutchens always have a place in their hearts for their “pop-pop.”

RELATED: Peace Officers Memorial Day: Remembering Sgt. Mickey Hutchens

Sgt. Hutchens, a 27-year veteran of the Winston-Salem Police Department was shot in the line of duty on October 7, 2009. He died five days later.

VIDEO: WSPD Honors Fallen Officer Mickey Hutchens

On Wednesday, it was his grandchildren that lit up in front of photographers as they posed holding their grandfather’s picture.

Lila Mitchell, 22 months, and Mac Mullins, 5, held the flag that covered their grandfather’s casket and his portrait while wearing his peaked hat and badge.

The grandkids gathered at the Sutton Center on Wake Forest University’s campus as dozens of photographers volunteered to take free portraits of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County first responders and their families.

PHOTOS: First Responders Get Free Portraits At Wake Forest University

“I thought that this was maybe an opportunity with all the creativity here if I brought a few things to have their pictures made since they would never have a chance to know him,” shared Beth Hutchens, the sergeant’s widow.

Hutchens explained how the kids were born after their grandfather died and wouldn’t otherwise have pictures ‘with’ their grandfather.

Jillian Hutchens, his daughter, said she was excited to display the meaningful portraits around their home.

“We’re gonna have these mounted and put with the rest of our family photos, pictures of family vacations and things that we’ve done around the city.”

Wake Forest University Photographer, Ken Bennett, is the Vice-President of the UPAA and organized this year’s free portraits community service event.

“It was very special for Beth to bring the grandkids, and they brought some things that Mickey had, his hat and the flag, and you know, I was breaking up pretty good,” said Wake Forest University Photographer Ken Bennett.

In the past, UPAA photographers have taken free portraits to military and homeless shelter guests.
Professional photographers from the University Photographers’ Association of America (UPAA) welcomed local paramedics, firefighters, police and emergency personnel to Wake’s campus.

“This is an opportunity for Wake Forest and UPAA photographers to recognize and thank emergency personnel who are first to arrive on the scene and assist victims in the most challenging and stressful of situations,” said Bennett.

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